Modern Grail: The Incredible Hulk #181 (November 1974) Featuring Wolverine’s 1st Full Appearance & Cover

Writer: Len Wein
Penciler/Cover Artist: Herb Trimpe
Inker: Jack Abel
Colorist: Glynis Wein
Letterer: Artie Simek
Editor: Roy Thomas

Last page of Incredible Hulk #180, featuring 1st appearance of Wolverine in the final panel

Only a handful of comics have attained the status of “holy grail” for collectors since Marvel introduced The Fantastic Four, The Amazing Spider-Man and The Incredible Hulk in the early 1960s. Wolverine’s first appearance in The Incredible Hulk #181 in November 1974 is one such grail. Though #181 is oft claimed to be Wolverine’s 1st appearance, #180 actually features the popular character’s first appearance on the final panel on the final page, introducing himself by name. To differentiate between the appearances, many in the hobby/industry refer to Wolverine’s appearance in #180 as his first cameo appearance and to #181 as the first full appearance and first cover of the now wildly popular Canadian superhero.

More info to come…